GuaWord/GuaExcel v. 1.3 FAQ. (version from 23 Oct 2003). (latest FAQ you'll find in the latest program distributive) 4.1. Questions about all GuaWord/GuaExcel versions 4.1.1. How to interrupt and continue searching? The program can be interrupted by pressing Ctrl-C once and continued by running with the same options (no need to change the keyspace range - it will be picked up automatically). (*) Continuing is impossible in freeware version. ATTENTION: on pressing Ctrl-C Windows NT will cause the "Application error" window and interrupted key will appear in the .key file (see above). There is no such bug in Windows 2000 but is recommended pressing Ctrl-Break instead. See also Q. 4.3.1. 4.1.2. What do the values in .key file mean? First 16 bytes are special. The byte with n offset mean the state of (n-16) key and may be one of 3 values: 0 - key is not tested yet, 1 - key was tested and is not right, 2 - key is testing now (or may be interrupted key). So, if after the test of a given keyspace is completed, there are still some values (in this keyspace) which are not equal to 1, then there must be a bug in the program. Those keys, which have not been tested, can be tested by simply running the program on this keyspace again with /r option. 4.1.3. I've got Pentium III/1000 computer, but key testing time is extremely large. Make sure that other CPU hungry programs (including 3D-screensavers) are not running simultaneously. 4.1.3a. One key testing time is 2 times longer under Windows NT than under MS-DOS or Windows 95. Give 100% CPU time to the program. Easiest way to do it is click on blank space on the taskbar and next click on the program window. 4.1.4. How can I test if your program is working? Run DEMO GuaWord/GuaExcel on test file in the archive and wait until it finishes testing first key. The password for this file is 'nyxo'. To test /s option, use the following command-line: GuaWord /s TEST.XLS(.DOC) 1675 4.1.5. I've got a message "XXXXX is not Word/Excel 97/2000 file". How to crack it? Maybe the program is right? 4.1.6. The full keyspace has been tested, no key found. If you're using /f option, it's normal. Run program again without it. Else check for interrupted keys in .key file (see q. 2) or just simply run program again with /r option. If it is still fails, it's a bug. 4.1.7. Your program found a key, successfully decrypted a file and Word/Excel still can not open it... First, don't despair. The found key is correct and your file can be decrypted. Another method exists to read your document (only if you made backup copy of your file). If you are legal customer of commercial version of the program, just contact me. I DON'T SUPPORT FREEWARE PROGRAM, but it's not too late to became a legal customer. 4.1.8. Is it possible to speed up your program? On Pentium Pro architecture processors (including Celeron, PII, PIII) is not possible. On other architecture - perhaps, especially with newest AMD processors. 4.1.9. I'm using UNIX, OS/2, BeOS etc. Will such version be available? Possibly. (Linux i386 version is already available). Regarding other OS and platforms, bear in mind that GuaWord/GuaExcel is optimized exclusively for Pentium II architecture and may be much slower even on very powerful processors. Mail me if you desperately need such version. 4.1.10. I'm sure all of my files are encrypted with the same password. Can I decrypt file without searching the key for each of them? YES! Files with the same password DON'T have the same key, because it depends on file ID etc . But unlimited version has a /s option for searching file-independent key. 4.1.11. How to run GuaWord/GuaExcel in the low priority? RTFM. Under Windows NT/2000 use start /low GuaWord 4.2. Questions about freeware (demo) version. 4.2.1. What are the differences between demo and commercial version? Demo version demonstrates some of the commercial version features, including testing for file-independent key. It should be used to check if your file is parsed correctly and to estimate time needed to decrypt file on your computer. If you've got the message like "Your file is parsed and can be cracked", the commercial version will work fine with this file. To test the decryption procedure, just save any Word/Excel file with 'nyxo' password and run demo version on it. Demo version suppory this fixed password only! Demo version also does not contain: a) Distributed mechanism b) Starting and ending key arguments 4.3. Questions about network versions. 4.3.1. Program displays "no more clients (N) allowed in this keyspace", although less than N clients are running. a) You are running the program on reduced (using starting and ending key parameters) keyspace. For example, if you've got 10-clients version, only 5 clients will be available on keyspace 0-8191. b) You incorrectly interrupted some clients. Stop others and use /r option. 4.3.2. Can I use /f and /s options together? It's possible, but has no sense. You can save about 5-10 days but can lose 10-20 times more. 4.3.3. My file is confidential and I don't want to remain it in shared directory. What to do? You can remove your file after the appropriate message on the screen and copy it back when the prompt for decryption will appear. 4.3.4. The key has been found on one of the clients while first client was stopped. How to decrypt file in this situation? Just start first client with /1 option. 4.4. Error messages. 4.4.1. GuaWord/GuaExcel prints "XXXXXXXXXXXX: No such file or directory (ENOENT)", although the file exists. Don't use long file names on Windows NT (rename the file). 4.4.2. I've got next error message: a) "no DPMI - Get csdpmi*b.zip" Under MS DOS you need a DPMI-host. Get it at: ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/gnu/djgpp/v2misc/csdpmi5b.zip b) "Permission denied (EACCES)" Check your file is neither Read-Only nor used by another program. Also check you have write permission to the current directory. c) "There are running clients with different options" Your run previous clients with /s option and current one without it or vice-versa.